Wow, we’re at number 10 already? It’s with Jeff, a great guy from Massachusetts…
1.) Thanks for your time Jeff, What’s new?
Hi Tim. Not too much just making my way through the day. I am very psyched about UFC 63 this weekend.
2.) What is it that got you into MMA and when?
I used to compete in power lifting. My first experince with MMA was when I accepted my trainer’s invitation to watch UFC 4 or 5 (not sure…?) on PPV. I was amazed at what I saw. Not with just the brutality of what I was seeing but that a guy like Royce Gracie who weighed 178 lbs could hang and submit opponents that much bigger and stronger. Shortly thereafter I suffered a shoulder injury and stopped training. I ended up losing contact with my PL trainer and didn’t end up watching a UFC event again until 2003. But that is not when I became hooked. I became somewhat of a fanatic this past year. My son started boxing (4-1-1) and we ened up watching TUF3 together. That is when I became almost fanatical about MMA.
3.) Do you train Mixed Martial Arts? Where, with who?
No I don’t train MMA. I did wrestle competitively in Jr. High & HS but my career was cut short by my Dad. He was concerned because my wrestling coaches wanted me to drop weight. He thought I should be gaining weight for Football which was supposed to have been my primamry focus in HS. My son hopes to make the jump into MMA within the next few years. When he does I think I may train BJJ with him.
4.) Have you ever had an MMA fight or do you ever want to?
No I have not. I have wrestled competitively and at times was tempted to ground and pound my opponent…but I never did. Do I want to…? Yeah I think I would if I was in good shape and had the right disciplines.
5.) What are 3 bands/groups that’d be in your iPOD right now?
HIM, Ministry, Depeche Mode
6.) Who are some of your favorite fighters and why?
Rich Franklin: My Christian brother and probably the best middleweight in the world.
Matt Hughes: Awesome wrestler with mind blowing freak strength
Royce Gracie: The legend that put MMA on the map and made me take notice.
Dean Lister: I am convinced he can submit anyone in the world. Best Jui Jitsu fighter I have seen thus far.
7.) What is the best MMA fight you’ve ever seen?
Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama (sick slug fest)
Gracie vs. Kimo or Gracie vs. Severn
8.) Besides the UFC, have you watched other MMA events, which ones?
Yes. I have only watched PrideFC. I have yet to watch KOTC but I paln to. Recently I have seen PrideFC - Final Conflict Absolute 2006 and Bushido Survival 2nd Round.
9.) Have you ever been to a professional or amateur MMA event?
Yes. I won tickets to UFC 45 - Revolution back in 2003. That was the night both Gracie & Shamrock were inducted into the UFC HOF.
10.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S.?
I think if MMA continues to grow in popularity at the rate it is now, within a few years it will certainly eclipse boxing as far as popularity goes.
11.) Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to travel to but haven’t seen yet?
In my 32 years I have barely left the east coast, so there is much of the world I would definitely like to see. On top of my list is:
Israel - to see the Holy land.
Japan - to see a PrideFC event live.
12.) What are some of your favorite passtimes?
Before I got married 7 years ago, I used to travel up and down the east coast attending Pro-Wrestling events. I had alot of fun with that and probably some of my fondest memories.
13.) If you could see ANY MMA match, who would the fighters be?
I have been very pleased with the cards UFC has been putting together and like I said, I plan to watch more PrideFC tournaments and also check out KOTC and possibly WFA if they ever comeback on PPV. I guess I would like to see:
Liddell vs. Silva
but who knows if it will ever happen? I hear its on then someone else says it will never happen. Oh well.
Thanks again for your time Jeff! Feel free to use the extra space to say anything else you’d like.
Thanks Tim. Keep up the good work.
-TiM
